Patients, staff and volunteers came together yesterday to dance, play games and have fun at the annual Summer Patient Party, held on the Northampton site of St Andrew’s Healthcare.

The sun shone for most of the day, which meant attendees could take full advantage of sitting outside to enjoy the catered food and watching people take part in the inflatable activities which had been set up.

In addition, patients were given the opportunity to handle rabbits and ducks which were brought along by a nearby petting farm.

Entertainment was largely provided by staff members Donna Walker and Jane Civil, who took to the dance floor, wowing with dance routines such as the Cha Cha Cha. A DJ played tracks by the likes of Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce which attracted patients to the dance floor.

Dr Sanjith Kamath, St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Executive Medical Director, who came along to the party, said: “It was great to see so many patients enjoying themselves. A lot of effort was put in to provide a fun, safe and exciting environment for everyone who came along and certainly, the people who I spoke to all had big smiles on their faces and told me how much they were enjoying themselves.

“After everything our patients have been through, it was so important to give them something to look forward to, which is why the Summer Party is the focus of our events diary each year. Everywhere I looked, there was something going on, and both staff and patients were clearly taking the opportunity to enjoy the good weather and the different activities on offer. Judging by the amount of laughter I heard and the smiles I saw, I would say the party has been a huge success.

”One patient said the party had been “the best yet” and another patient said: “It’s been so lovely getting together with everyone and having a dance.”